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daved525's avatar
daved525
Explorer
Jul 20, 2014

Tunnels on WA Hwy 14, Columbia Gorge

We are headed up to the Gorge with our Phaeton, camping on the WA side of the Gorge. There are some low tunnels there---12'6" and 13'3" according to Good Sam. Anyone have experience with a MH on the stretch from Stevenson to The Dalles bridge on WA Hwy 14? I've seen many trucks and MH go through there, and local RV parks assure me there is no problem---just hug the centerline (tunnels have circular roofs, rising from road edge to center). But I'm nervous. Tiffin says overall height of Phaeton (air cond) is 12'7".

Thanks

Dave
Roads and Routes

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  • ghsebldr's avatar
    ghsebldr
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Don't know the tunnel heights but I do know that crossing from north to south or the other way around on the Hood River bridge is risky. That bridge is VERY narrow. Lost a mirror to oncoming traffic there last summer. The toll person said that happens all the time.(after I went back to report the incident, they don't mention mirror safety when you stop to pay your toll and head over but are happy to tell you how often it happens when you go back to report it) Toads
  • ParkCountry's avatar
    ParkCountry
    Explorer II
    Jul 20, 2014
    In my opinion, that road is too narrow and too curvy for a MH. Personally, I'd unhitch the Toad and use that to tour that stretch of the Scenic Road, not to mention that parking would be difficult for the MH if you want to stop at Vista House. At least those were my impressions the last time we went through there (2001). But do definitely take that road. It is AWESOME. With the fires burning in Washington state, I suspect that views of the Columbia River Gorge will be marginal.
  • jolooote's avatar
    jolooote
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    Sorry, I'm talking of Rt.30 on the Oregon side west of 'The Dalles' where it is between the Interstate & the river where everyone goes to stop at each of the falls.
  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Jul 20, 2014
    Maybe jolooote is thinking of the old scenic Gorge hwy, US30, as opposed to I84.

    Funny how some RV insist on taking interstates where possible, while others avoid them, preferring to 'see the countryside'.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jul 20, 2014
    jolooote wrote:
    What ever you do ...DO NOT take any RV on the 'South' side of the river. Many places along there are almost too narrow for cars and LOTS of traffic.
    Is that a Floridian's concept of an Oregon freeway?
  • jolooote's avatar
    jolooote
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    What ever you do ...DO NOT take any RV on the 'South' side of the river. Many places along there are almost too narrow for cars and LOTS of traffic.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jul 20, 2014
    WyoTraveler wrote:
    f We went that way again I would travel south side of Columbia. JMHO
    yeah, me too.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2014
    I suspect you are talking about north side of the Columbia. We went through there last summer. We're at 12'9". Stopped short of tunnel and called DOT. They said OK. The measurement is at the fog line. They recommended we wait for traffic to clear and take the center which we did. No problem. If We went that way again I would travel south side of Columbia. JMHO

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